My Dividend Calculator

Financial Independence Through Dividends

Dividend History

Yearly Stats

How To Use

  1. Step 1: Enter a stock ticker to get historical data.
  2. Step 2: Enter your desired investment amount, ongoing contribution, reinvest dividends option, and holding period.
  3. Step 3: Hit Calculate Future Dividends to see an estimate on how the investment and dividends might look going into the future.

Disclaimer: This is not investment advice. Past results are not indicative of future performance. Use this tool at your own risk. Always consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Dividends 101

A dividend is a distribution of a portion of a company's earnings to its shareholders. Dividends are typically paid out in cash but can also be issued as additional shares of stock.

Dividends are usually paid quarterly, but some companies pay them monthly, semi-annually, or annually. The frequency of dividend payments is determined by the company's board of directors.

Dividend yield is a financial ratio that shows how much a company pays out in dividends each year relative to its stock price. It is calculated by dividing the annual dividend per share by the stock's price per share.

Dividends are generally taxed as income. However, qualified dividends are taxed at the lower long-term capital gains tax rate, while non-qualified dividends are taxed at the regular income tax rate.

A DRIP allows investors to reinvest their cash dividends into additional shares of the company's stock, often without paying brokerage fees. This can be a convenient way to grow your investment over time.

The ex-dividend date is the cutoff date on which an investor must own shares to be eligible to receive the next dividend payment. If you purchase shares on or after this date, you will not receive the dividend.

The dividend payout ratio is the percentage of a company's earnings that is paid out as dividends. It is calculated by dividing the total dividends paid by the company's net income.

Yes, companies can cut or suspend their dividend payments if they experience financial difficulties or need to conserve cash for other purposes. This decision is typically made by the company's board of directors.

A special dividend is a one-time payment made by a company to its shareholders, often when the company has excess cash that it wishes to distribute. Special dividends are usually larger than regular dividends.

A dividend aristocrat is a company that has consistently increased its dividend payments for at least 25 consecutive years. These companies are often considered stable and reliable dividend payers.

Preferred dividends are paid to preferred shareholders and are typically fixed amounts. Common dividends are paid to common shareholders and can vary based on the company's profitability. Preferred dividends usually have priority over common dividends.

When choosing a dividend stock, consider factors such as the company's dividend yield, payout ratio, dividend history, financial health, and growth prospects. It's also important to diversify your dividend investments across different sectors.

Qualified dividends are dividends that meet specific criteria set by the IRS, allowing them to be taxed at the lower long-term capital gains tax rate. To qualify, the dividends must be paid by a U.S. corporation or a qualified foreign corporation, and the investor must meet certain holding period requirements.

The dividend growth rate is the annualized percentage rate of growth of a company's dividend payments over time. It can be used to estimate future dividend payments and assess the company's financial health.

FIRE is a movement that advocates for achieving financial independence and retiring early through diligent saving, investing, and managing expenses. The goal is to accumulate enough assets to generate passive income that covers living expenses.

Dividends can provide a steady stream of passive income, which is essential for the FIRE strategy. By reinvesting dividends and benefiting from compound growth, investors can accelerate their journey to financial independence.

The safe withdrawal rate is the percentage of your investment portfolio that you can withdraw annually without running out of money. A commonly used rule is the 4% rule, which suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio annually.

Yes, it is possible to live off dividends alone if you have a sufficiently large and diversified investment portfolio that generates enough dividend income to cover your living expenses.

Risks include dividend cuts or suspensions, company-specific risks, market volatility, inflation, and changes in tax laws. It's important to diversify your investments and have a contingency plan.

To maximize dividend income, consider reinvesting dividends, choosing high-quality dividend-paying stocks, diversifying your portfolio, and regularly reviewing and adjusting your investment strategy.

What Is F.I.R.E.?

The F.I.R.E. movement stands for "Financial Independence, Retire Early." It is a lifestyle and financial strategy that focuses on achieving financial independence as quickly as possible to retire early and gain the freedom to live life on one's own terms. The movement has gained significant popularity over the past decade as more people seek to escape the traditional work-life balance and find greater fulfillment and freedom in their lives.

Why Do People Want to Achieve F.I.R.E.?

People are drawn to the F.I.R.E. movement for various reasons, including the desire for more personal freedom, the ability to pursue passions and hobbies, the chance to travel and experience new cultures, and the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends. The core motivation behind F.I.R.E. is the pursuit of a life that is not dictated by financial constraints or the need to work a traditional 9-to-5 job until the standard retirement age.

Achieving F.I.R.E. typically involves a combination of high savings rates, strategic investments, and careful budgeting to build a substantial financial cushion that can support one's living expenses without the need for a traditional job. This often requires making lifestyle adjustments and sacrifices in the short term to enjoy long-term financial freedom.

Types of F.I.R.E.: Fat Fire and Lean Fire

There are different approaches within the F.I.R.E. movement, primarily categorized as Fat Fire and Lean Fire:

  • Fat Fire: Fat Fire refers to achieving financial independence with a higher level of income and spending, allowing for a more comfortable and often luxurious lifestyle. Individuals pursuing Fat Fire aim to accumulate a larger nest egg that can support higher living expenses, including travel, dining out, and other discretionary spending. This approach requires a higher savings rate and often a longer time horizon to reach financial independence.
  • Lean Fire: Lean Fire, on the other hand, focuses on achieving financial independence with a more minimalist lifestyle and lower spending. Individuals pursuing Lean Fire prioritize frugality and may live on a tighter budget to reach financial independence sooner. This approach requires a smaller nest egg and emphasizes reducing living expenses to the bare essentials.

What Is Right For Me?

Ultimately, the F.I.R.E. movement is about gaining control over one's financial future and creating the freedom to live life on one's own terms. Whether pursuing Fat Fire or Lean Fire, the principles of high savings, strategic investments, and mindful spending are at the core of achieving financial independence and the ability to retire early. By adopting these principles, individuals can work towards a future where they are no longer bound by financial constraints and can enjoy the freedom to pursue their passions and dreams.

About Us

Your Average Investor is dedicated to providing the resources and education needed for the average investor to achieve exceptional results. Our primary mission is to help you achieve financial independence so that you can enjoy life however you like.

Achieving financial independence starts with developing a solid financial literacy and education by learning about stocks, real estate, cryptocurrency, business, and personal finance. It also means learning how to take advantage of the tax code to keep more of what you earn.

We believe in maximizing your earned income and leveraging it to start building semi-passive and passive streams of income. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, we have the tools and knowledge to help you succeed.

Join us on this journey to financial independence and start creating the life you want today!

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